McLaren reveals new 650S ‘Le Mans’

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Here’s a top fact to wave around the pub next time you want to make friends*: in 1995, five McLaren F1 GTR models finished the Le Mans 24hr race, coming in 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th, practically locking out the front.

To celebrate this special achievement, McLaren’s Special Operations division - those chaps responsible for this - have tarted up a 650S and called it the ‘Le Mans’ edition.

It was even designed in consultation with Peter Stevens who, if you want another fact to wave around the pub to your new found friends*, was the designer of the original McLaren F1.

So, these accoutrements will be applied to just 50 Coupe versions of the 650S, and include a fully integrated, roof-mounted snorkel air intake (like the ‘95 cars), channelling air into the unchanged 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 (641bhp, 500lb ft, 0-62mph in three seconds, 207mph top speed). McLaren also promises this new air duct provides “enhanced aural drama within the cabin”.

Then there are the front wings with new louvres to reduce pressure over the front wheels and increase downforce. The wheels themselves? 19in front, 20in back, lightweight, and fashioned after the ones decked out on the 1995 race cars, wearing Pirelli P-Zeros and hiding carbon ceramic brakes as standard with orange calipers. Lovely.

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There’s carbon fibre dotted around, notably on the front splitter and rear bumper, with special extended side blades and MSO’s ‘distinctive’ rear diffuser. Each Le Mans 650S will also be painted in metallic ‘Sarthe Grey’ (geddit?) with splashes of orange in distinct places.

Inside, there’s black leather and Alcantara, with sports seats sporting an orange McLaren logo, and a further Le Mans logo in the headrest and floor mats.

Looks cool, doesn’t it? Prices stand at £244,500 (a standard 650S Coupe starts at £195k), with deliveries commencing later this year. And if you buy one, you’ll be invited to a special 20th anniversary celebration at Le Mans courtesy of McLaren. Only 50 will be made, so better get a move on.